[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 128 (Tuesday, September 17, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S10712]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    THANKS TO PRODIGY SERVICE CORP.

 Mr. GREGG. Mr. President, I rise today to express my thanks to 
Prodigy Service Corp. for responding promptly to the letter sent out by 
19 Senators and myself on August 1, 1996. In the letter, my colleagues 
and I urged Prodigy and several other Internet service providers and 
search engines to adopt company policies to block access to bomb-making 
information through their services.
  Prodigy is the first of these companies to respond and I am pleased 
to announce that letter provides some hope in our efforts to curb the 
availability of bomb construction information on the Internet. This 
outstanding company has already begun to offer its customers free 
installment of the CyberPatrol access control software program, which 
blocks access to bomb-making information. This generous contribution to 
our Nation's safety and well-being is commendable.
  While Prodigy's efforts help solve the problem of the wide 
availability of dangerous bomb construction information, the 
CyberPatrol program also demonstrates that blocking bomb-making 
instructions on the Internet is possible.
  At this time, I ask that the Senate join me in urging other Internet 
service providers to adopt similar policies. I ask that Prodigy's 
response be printed in the Record.
  The letter follows:


                                                      Prodigy,

                                    New York, NY, August 27, 1996.
     Hon. Judd Gregg,
     U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Gregg: Thank you for your letter of August 1, 
     regarding bomb-making information on the Internet. We, too, 
     are outraged by the cowardly, senseless acts of terrorism 
     that have victimized so many innocent individuals and 
     families. We are repulsed by the twisted minds of people who 
     disseminate bomb-making information for reasons known only to 
     them.
       As you know, bomb-making information is available widely 
     and publicly today through a large number of channels, 
     including bookstores and libraries, and governmental attempts 
     to restrict the availability of otherwise lawful information 
     raise serious First Amendment concerns. Nevertheless, Prodigy 
     tries to strike a responsible balance, providing a safe 
     environment for users to openly exchange valuable 
     information, while enabling them to insure they won't come in 
     contact with inappropriate material.
       Unlike other media, the online environment does offer an 
     effective way for consumers to exercise control. Earlier this 
     year, Prodigy began offering our members the CyberPatrol 
     access control software program, which they can install on 
     their family's personal computer at no extra charge (Prodigy 
     picks up the cost of the program). This easy-to-use program 
     automatically filters and blocks access to bomb-making 
     information and other inappropriate content on the Internet.
       Please feel free to contact me if you have any further 
     questions.
           Sincerely,
                                                    Marc Jacobson,

     Vice President and General Counsel.

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